The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-01-07
p,,rips Letter from Mr.. Powderly In Denuncia-
.,on az Socialism Among the knights or Labor.

,,on ar Socialism Among the knights or Labor.
A letter written by Mr.. Powderly to a
rnight of Labor some time ago has just
heen given out. lie says.
Won have men in New York who would
move heaven and earth to restore the
old customs and make the order
ogain an oath-bound organization. /
Tnow them. You have men in New
York who have co-operated with men In
philadelphia to break up the order by GO
inc to q Catholic prelate OF eminence and
feilins him that an old oath is still in force;
that the word OF honor is but q blind to
make cats paws OF the Catholic members,
and hat the general master workman
ia a party to the Infamous transaction.
The curse OF the Knights OF Labor
has come from the promptness with
which acknowledged leaders OF the
socialistic element have put themselves
forward at meetings, and, while speak.
inc plainly limited at the musket and
Calling gun as the remedy for labor's
grievances. Many OF the men who adVo-
cate these principles OF socialism do not
understand them, o do they care to un-
derstand them. They set forth the idea
and convey the impression that the
nnIv eapon by which labor can
hone to secure the desired reforms
are the knife and bludgeon. Men
NAV entertain such ideas as they please,
but they should not seek, under the cloak
of the Knightsof Labor, to promulgate such
doctrines and make the order responsible
for them. l claim the right to differ as to
means best calculated TO bring about re.
form. and am willing TO aspect the opin-
ions OF others; but until the Knights OF
Labor adopt the shotgun as their chief
weapon | will vigorously object to allow
ing
SOCIALISTIC ADVOCATES
to step to the front at all meetings got up
in the interest of abor. They mustnot be
permitted to advocate blood and fire and
vet proclaim themselves to be the mouth
pieces OF the labor cause. The conduct
and language OF these men have caused the
Clergymen to regard us with an eye OF SUI
s%picion, and it will reqnire strenuous efforts
on our part to emove the inn
pressions concerning us. 1t is my firm and
honest belief thatas vast as is this country,
there is not room enough within it's bounds
for the exercise of a single rifle. / have no
respect for the man or men who will fiaunt
that accursed red flag and advocate the
use OF the dirk and bullet for 365 days in
the year, and who, on the 365th day,
deliberately walk up to the polls and
vote for the continuance OF the system
which they denounce. / am sorry that the
order ever found u foothold in New York,
for no good has ever come from large cities
which are prolific Of whisky and crime.
There are many good Knights in your city.
II / required any determined action give
me the man who reads and thinks instead
OF the man who drinks. There ore more
OF the latter in a large city than the
former. However, the Knights OF Labor
will live, and their principles will spread
and eventually triumph. Bah on the crea-
lures who stand up as the champions Of
labor in the presence OF unthinking men
and advocate the knife and butler! Bah on
the men who flaunt the red flag! They are
too vile to respect, and oocowardly to
uphold the American flag, sanctiied by
the blood OF patriots. They disgrace it
every time they go to the polls and vote
Tor monopoly and usury. They are not to
be trusted.